The Championship Relegation Dogfight

20th – Blackpool

logo-blackpoolOn Saturday 30th November 2013, Blackpool sat pretty in a play-off spot, following a 2-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday. Fast forward to Good Friday, and the Tangerines have a new manager in Barry Ferguson following the sacking of Paul Ince, and they now lurk just two points above safety in 20th position, prior to their monumental Lancashire Derby with Burnley, as the consequence of a treacherous record of two victories from 26 Championship matches since Dan Gosling struck the winning goal in that win over Wednesday at the end of November.

Particular lowlights of this awful run were the 5-1 hammerings at Derby and Reading, the two defeats against Yeovil and disappointing 2-0 defeat at Barnsley, not to mention the loss of star winger and Paul’s son Tom Ince in January to Crystal Palace, an ex-England under 21 international who carried the team at times. Although Ince is only on loan at Selhurst Park, the 22 year olds’ contract expires in the summer, and there is little chance of him renewing his deal at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders last tasted that winning feeling against Huddersfield in March, and now Ferguson’s free fallers are looking down their shoulder extremely nervously, as their run-in looks among the hardest of any of the bottom eight teams. Blackpool don’t have a great deal going for them at the minute, and the Charlton game on the final day of the season could be decisive.

Run in

Fri 18th Apr – Burnley (H)

Mon 21st Apr – Brighton (A)

Sat 26th Apr – Wigan (A)

Sat 3rd May – Charlton (H)

Predicted Finish: 22nd

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